Regardless of what Ben says at the end of this about accepting change. When Ronan got sideways I heard Warner screaming in my head Then I came back to a blander reality
Hot tub Ben for the win!! Looking forward to your insightful commentary next season. You consistently keep things super fresh and exciting, never boring or dull.
Nothing about Gracey in this is a shame to not report as she absolutely destroyed the track and got on her first podium and first time in finals this year!
This year has been almost impossible to keep up with due to the changes of broadcast rights. The proposed ‘25 rule changes make that effort untenable. Much like British Super Bike and MotoGP before it, I won’t be back and, much as when I stopped following those the benefit will be the same for me: Watch less; Ride more.
I like the scrapping of protected status for finals, but everything else I absolutely hate. Fewer teams, fewer riders, more expensive, restricting numbers, restricting privateers, cancelled Fort William, poor broadcasting quality. WBD will be the death of downhill and probably a couple other disciplines too. I'm not having the blinkered positivity view I'm afraid. Too many baffling changes for the worse.
@@waldojpg hopefully the new venues have the chance to prove themselves as capable of hosting a full race weekend. Admittedly the tracks will take less abuse from reduced numbers but it remains to be seen if they’ll suffer from the problems we’ve seen at some races over the last couple of years with weather causing all sorts of disruptions and cancellations
Great points on the possible positive outcomes coming from the rule changes. New rule proposition here: shorts reqd in the company hottub! Just kidding, let em ride!!!
Shouldnt be mentioned, as the track was much faster for the juniors. Its not just the slippyness, shit rolls worse when it gets mucky until it gets really liquid again. And it never got really liquid.
Why does Gracey Hemstreet get such minimal coverage, if ever? This time, she's on the bloody podium - not even mentioned? WtH? Is she really unpleasant? I've ridden alongside her, sure didn't seem to be. Lol. Of course she isn't. So what gives? Too Canadian? Too polite? What's up?? PS amazing to watch your success this season, #graceyhemstreet, and mega congrats on holding the hot seat for a long minute and eventually winning 2nd at MSA! In World Cup Downhill Elite!! Whoot whoot! Represent, Canada. What! 💪🏻👊🏻🏆🌟
The coverage needs to change asap the casters with all due respect are trash compared to rob warner no emotion. Not so speak about not being able to watch it cuz I won’t be paying 7 euros or so per month for 1 race every 6 weeks or so.
A lot of us appreciate your effort in trying to put a positive spin on the changes, but I always routed for the underdog at these WC races and seeing UCI/WBD take that away and replace it with big pocket factory teams. Personally, I'll be switching 95% of my attention away from the UCI WC and watch the "Regional and Continental Races. I may be the only one with this opinion, but from reading many comments, I think there'll be many others who will turn their attention away.
Been a great season. Love seeing these videos with Cathro. No semis and no protected status is great but making things harder for privateers is horrible. Having more races is nice but I hope that it isn't just more Europe. It would be great to see more of the world in the World Cup. With more races will they actually make the prize money worth winning? I guess we'll see.
Thanks Ben for all the analysis. I'm trying to be open minded about these changes but I keep thinking of all these riders and teams that are going to be forced out of world cup and wonder if they will be out of a job or teams just shut down. If they step back to national/regional series I can see that maybe being a positive for them to be in a more competitive series and possibly more lucrative podiums. Check out Finn Iles video on the low payout for UCI podiums.
Thank you Ben for the insights this season! And the view on next, will it give me double the riders in finals, more rounds, more prize money for the riders, nope, but I think the continental series will give a lot of riders a regular shot at the podium and prize money, then the buzz of someone killing it coming through to World Cups. World Cup prize money - in most sports it comes from TV money, sponsorship and some from local venues, but won't happen over night. Sad about the smaller teams being pushed out but the increased number of rounds (that we all want). Fewer riders :( but that should bring hosting costs down and open up World Cups to new (or old) locations. I need to see some light in this as they've got me, my subs, love it too much to not watch it, and can only see the racing closer.
No doubt corporate have got hold of it and demand more advertising and profit.. it'll destroy the sport just like it destroyed Moto GP, WSBK and British SBK.. used to watch them religiously along with DH.. hardly watch DH any more and haven't watched any other motor sport for years.
I enjoyed DH more when there were more privateers. It creates a separate story line apart from they usual top 5. Who can forget the Denim Destroyer? I believe a lot of fans were following him and hoping he did well aside from their favorite pro. Wyn's Privateer of the race award was another bonus. They're turning DH into F1.
I'd love to see a general funded (uci maybe) privateer team as a addition to the set "bigger" teams. The team gets drawn each year out of the best privateer riders of the continental series. Therfor riders can choose if they want to try and fight thier way into a team that is allowed partizipation in worldcups or if they try to reach the top 10 in the continental series on their own to get a spot in the privateer-wc-team. This team should provide acomodations for riders and acses to mechanics. Also riders in this team should be allowed to have ther own Sponsors for the season.
So the series leaves RedBull for Discovery and now all of a sudden there's not enough money in the pot, so will be less teams etc next season and making it harder and more expensive for privateers, doesn't sound great for the future, these athletes are already undervalued when you look at the prize money compared to say motorcross with Monster sponsors
This is the first year for a looong time where I would get bored and reach for my phone or iPad during a live DH Worldcup. The broadcast is just not good enough to hold my attention! On every rider they use several seconds to watch them waiting and leaving the start gate.. Why?? Nothing happens in there. I am gonna cancel my discovery+ subscription and really think hard if I ever need to enter it again-
So to the new upcoming UCI ruleset: suck up the shit and support your local races ! This from a guy who loved WC races and lives in friggin` UCI land. Slowly and surely this isn`t worth it any more.
Gracey Hemstreet definitely deserves a mention for an awesome run that got her into second place!
typical PB, think about the tub, forget about a rider :)
The table she did on the hip was epic!
Agree with this 1000%
I was the marshal in next to Ronan drift and MY GOD he whose 90 from where he needed to go. Such control it's unconscionable for mere mortals
Were you the guy takin a nap on screen. 😅😂😂
Regardless of what Ben says at the end of this about accepting change. When Ronan got sideways I heard Warner screaming in my head Then I came back to a blander reality
I got to see Ronan ride near where I live, he's an absolute ripper on the bike, a real eye opener
I dont want no weekend without an Ben Cathro certified Analysis Video
Hot tub Ben for the win!! Looking forward to your insightful commentary next season. You consistently keep things super fresh and exciting, never boring or dull.
Not even a mention of Gracey!? Amazing result and that style over the hip 👌
Tahnee’s save was incredible! As the race went on those slabs looked leathal but Lachie was absolutely flying through that section! What a race! 🔥
Save of the day, definitely!
Thanks dude and pinkbike. Hope your back next year.
Nothing about Gracey in this is a shame to not report as she absolutely destroyed the track and got on her first podium and first time in finals this year!
You may not see this. Thank you for walking us through the races it made watching the races on Sunday more special. So don’t change that part 😂
Gracey definitely deserves a shout out for her best result of the season in 2nd place!
You could have mentioned Gracey Hemstreet
I’m well impressed over that DJi (?) microphone’s ability to isolate Cathro’s voice in that bubble bath.
Awesome as always Ben
All brands are leave because WB is make a joke of the coverage.
That scandi flick from Ronan Dunne was the highlight of my
This year has been almost impossible to keep up with due to the changes of broadcast rights. The proposed ‘25 rule changes make that effort untenable. Much like British Super Bike and MotoGP before it, I won’t be back and, much as when I stopped following those the benefit will be the same for me: Watch less; Ride more.
Well, on the bright side, freeride is still alive and going even stronger. That's nice :)
Yes sir Pinkbike had the Sunday watching sorted
Thanks my man! You da best. Let's hope for good changes for next year. ❤
Don't ever change Ben!
I like the scrapping of protected status for finals, but everything else I absolutely hate. Fewer teams, fewer riders, more expensive, restricting numbers, restricting privateers, cancelled Fort William, poor broadcasting quality. WBD will be the death of downhill and probably a couple other disciplines too. I'm not having the blinkered positivity view I'm afraid. Too many baffling changes for the worse.
It’s weird that Italy has two races and Bill has been dropped, roughly a fifth of the current top 100 elite men’s field coming from the UK
@@caseyrimdinger3220whats a bill
@@caseyrimdinger3220riders have been complaining about the track for a while + the venues apply at the uci to host, not the other way round
WBD combined with your attitude, is destroying downhill racing…🙄
@@waldojpg hopefully the new venues have the chance to prove themselves as capable of hosting a full race weekend. Admittedly the tracks will take less abuse from reduced numbers but it remains to be seen if they’ll suffer from the problems we’ve seen at some races over the last couple of years with weather causing all sorts of disruptions and cancellations
Discovery killed dh!
Lets not ever forget Stevie Smiths winning run down Mont St Anne. Absolutely incredible!
nice way to spend a sunday night watching this ❤
Thank you UCI! You won the battle DHMTB is no longer a thing... no go mess with road again
Great points on the possible positive outcomes coming from the rule changes. New rule proposition here: shorts reqd in the company hottub! Just kidding, let em ride!!!
Somehow, I thought you were in the classroom in hot tub with chalkboard behind you 😂
Beautiful conclusion Ben!
Not mentionning in a race recap video that junior winner Max alran was faster than elite winner troy is crazy.
Shouldnt be mentioned, as the track was much faster for the juniors. Its not just the slippyness, shit rolls worse when it gets mucky until it gets really liquid again. And it never got really liquid.
Why does Gracey Hemstreet get such minimal coverage, if ever? This time, she's on the bloody podium - not even mentioned? WtH? Is she really unpleasant? I've ridden alongside her, sure didn't seem to be. Lol. Of course she isn't. So what gives? Too Canadian? Too polite? What's up?? PS amazing to watch your success this season, #graceyhemstreet, and mega congrats on holding the hot seat for a long minute and eventually winning 2nd at MSA! In World Cup Downhill Elite!! Whoot whoot! Represent, Canada. What! 💪🏻👊🏻🏆🌟
Cathro rocking a sci-fi fantasy cap 🛹
Feels like the last "normal" season.
Time to focus on the regional races. Bring back the NORBA big races!
Long may it continue indeed!!! 🎉🎉
The coverage needs to change asap the casters with all due respect are trash compared to rob warner no emotion. Not so speak about not being able to watch it cuz I won’t be paying 7 euros or so per month for 1 race every 6 weeks or so.
Yup I wat h highlights when I can find them... Def needs to be more accessible
Better coverage than the official whoop uci etc, thank you
Man neither the highlights nor this video mention Gracey taking second place! Thats a great result and certainly deserves a little coverage.
Ben I‘m just going through a potential breakup after a 5-year-relationship and your epilogue on change was right what I needed. Thank you!
A lot of us appreciate your effort in trying to put a positive spin on the changes, but I always routed for the underdog at these WC races and seeing UCI/WBD take that away and replace it with big pocket factory teams. Personally, I'll be switching 95% of my attention away from the UCI WC and watch the "Regional and Continental Races. I may be the only one with this opinion, but from reading many comments, I think there'll be many others who will turn their attention away.
Been a great season. Love seeing these videos with Cathro. No semis and no protected status is great but making things harder for privateers is horrible. Having more races is nice but I hope that it isn't just more Europe. It would be great to see more of the world in the World Cup. With more races will they actually make the prize money worth winning? I guess we'll see.
Thanks Ben for all the analysis. I'm trying to be open minded about these changes but I keep thinking of all these riders and teams that are going to be forced out of world cup and wonder if they will be out of a job or teams just shut down. If they step back to national/regional series I can see that maybe being a positive for them to be in a more competitive series and possibly more lucrative podiums. Check out Finn Iles video on the low payout for UCI podiums.
It’s good that it’s changing in the way that will have to make people work and become world class at the lower level before coming to world cups
Thank you Ben for the insights this season! And the view on next, will it give me double the riders in finals, more rounds, more prize money for the riders, nope, but I think the continental series will give a lot of riders a regular shot at the podium and prize money, then the buzz of someone killing it coming through to World Cups. World Cup prize money - in most sports it comes from TV money, sponsorship and some from local venues, but won't happen over night. Sad about the smaller teams being pushed out but the increased number of rounds (that we all want). Fewer riders :( but that should bring hosting costs down and open up World Cups to new (or old) locations.
I need to see some light in this as they've got me, my subs, love it too much to not watch it, and can only see the racing closer.
No doubt corporate have got hold of it and demand more advertising and profit.. it'll destroy the sport just like it destroyed Moto GP, WSBK and British SBK.. used to watch them religiously along with DH.. hardly watch DH any more and haven't watched any other motor sport for years.
This is impressive af 3:54
I swear u can see his bars flexing? Or maybe just optical illusion cuz of how they’re rolled
Come on @bencathro you must agree losing fort bill is a travesty!
Gracey Hemstreet 2nd, first Canadian elite women's DH podium in how long? Probably since Miranda Miller World Champs Cairns 2017?
😂! Best recap ever!
I enjoyed DH more when there were more privateers. It creates a separate story line apart from they usual top 5. Who can forget the Denim Destroyer? I believe a lot of fans were following him and hoping he did well aside from their favorite pro. Wyn's Privateer of the race award was another bonus.
They're turning DH into F1.
OMG... Ben don't ever change!! 😂😂😂
Ow wait... That's what you said...
Nice!!!
Never change Ben
I'd love to see a general funded (uci maybe) privateer team as a addition to the set "bigger" teams. The team gets drawn each year out of the best privateer riders of the continental series. Therfor riders can choose if they want to try and fight thier way into a team that is allowed partizipation in worldcups or if they try to reach the top 10 in the continental series on their own to get a spot in the privateer-wc-team. This team should provide acomodations for riders and acses to mechanics. Also riders in this team should be allowed to have ther own Sponsors for the season.
That ending 😂
dig these rule changes as a spectator
Greg Minnaar will forever be the GOAT.
When television gets hold of sport, it's always a balls up.
Can you pls make a video on what’s going on next year
Pay these winners more prize money! 💰
troy is the new top G
So the series leaves RedBull for Discovery and now all of a sudden there's not enough money in the pot, so will be less teams etc next season and making it harder and more expensive for privateers, doesn't sound great for the future, these athletes are already undervalued when you look at the prize money compared to say motorcross with Monster sponsors
Benfucius speak the truth. All hail Benfucius
the fans at 8:16
Will there even be a 2025 WC series?
What is WBD?
Don't ever change Ben lol
I have no way to watch World Cup dh. Next year won’t change anything for me.
I only watch Cathros updates. All the rest are just boating!
Gracey in 2nd
This is the first year for a looong time where I would get bored and reach for my phone or iPad during a live DH Worldcup. The broadcast is just not good enough to hold my attention! On every rider they use several seconds to watch them waiting and leaving the start gate.. Why?? Nothing happens in there. I am gonna cancel my discovery+ subscription and really think hard if I ever need to enter it again-
7:26 WTF 😳
World Cup is dead. Long live World Cup.
GRACEY
Our lord and savior who rose from the tub...
So to the new upcoming UCI ruleset: suck up the shit and support your local races ! This from a guy who loved WC races and lives in friggin` UCI land. Slowly and surely this isn`t worth it any more.
Ben .... nevermind.😂🤪
Why is he wearing budgie smugglers in the tub?!?
Did P.Diddy set u up to do this video in the tub?
Some elite highlights would’ve been nice from uci. How to destroy a sport. Uci can tackle it🫵🙄